DirectionsIn a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour. Stir in pecans.Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 2-1/2-in. logs and shape into crescents. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 325° for 20-22 minutes or until set and bottoms are lightly browned. Let stand for 2-3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

* * * *What could be easier, right? And I know your family will love them!

Now…what about some of the first Christmas traditions in America?

CHRISTMAS TREEOf course, Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition. However, the first American Christmas tree can be credited to a Hessian soldier by the name of Henrick Roddmore, who was captured at the Battle of Bennington (Vermont) in 1776. He then went to work on the farm of Samuel Denslow in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, where for the next 14 years he put up and decorated Christmas trees in the Denslow family home.

The first Christmas tree retail lot was established in 1851 by a Pennsylvanian named Mark Carr, who hauled two ox sleds loaded with Christmas trees from the Catskill Mountains to the sidewalks of New York City.

The first president to set up a Christmas tree in the White House was Franklin Pierce, and the first president to establish the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn was Calvin Coolidge.

On December 22, 1882, Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, created the first string of Christmas tree lights. They were first sold in New York City.

* * * *

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUSThe first department store Santa was James Edgar, who, during Christmas seasons beginning in 1890, would wander about his store (the Boston Store) in Brockton, Massachusetts, dressed as Santa Claus, talking to the children of customers.

MORE CHRISTMAS FIRSTSDecember 7, 1898: The first Christmas postage stamp was released in CanadaDecember 7, 1907: Christmas seals sold for the first timeWednesday, December 1, 1909: The Christmas Club savings account began

* * * *I’m celebrating Christmas a little early with a great SALE on TWO of my full-length novels:

DECADENT DECEPTIONS – 99 Cents!

* 35 ‘Five’ Star Reviews

* RWA Molly Contest Finalist

* Red Carpet Review Top Award Nominee

Determined to win Morgan Gatewood’slove, Olivia Breedlove lures the decadent man into a game of cat and mouse.What began as a ploy to force him to commit, tumbles into a world rife withvoyeurism, sin and murder. Morgan must not only beat Olivia at her own game butstay one step ahead of the scheming vixen once the serial killer has her in hissights.

Enter L’ Amour Immortelles, an affluent brothel, where no one is who they claim to be, and no one is safe. Enter theworld of Decadent Deceptions where the hunted becomes the hunter to savethe woman he loves.

RaineBrinsley is penniless after her parents drowned at sea. She’s sent by the localminister to Stafford House to apply for a job as a servant. Despite the alarmbells going off in her head, she accepts the offer of employment. She has onegoal in mind, to return to her beloved grandfather in Maine.

Lordof the Manor, Derek Stafford, has his own dilemmas to worry about. His wifecommitted suicide some time ago after delivering several stillbirths. Derek andhis brother, Lyman, race to produce the first male heir of Stafford House. Thewinner will receive not only the title to the eloquent manor but also anenormous sum of money from their father.

Derekdecides the beautiful Raine will make the perfect surrogate. If only he canconvince the young woman that signing a contract to bear his son will serveboth their needs: She can return to her grandfather and he’ll inherit a life ofwealth and luxury.

Butdark stirrings are afoot at Stafford House. A ghost haunts the halls of themanor and the spirit is intent on exposing her killer to Raine. Steeped inmurderous plots, Derek and Raine face insurmountable odds of achieving theirdreams.